India — Location – Class 11 Geography notes, important questions and MCQs

Chapter overview

India lies entirely in the Northern Hemisphere, between latitudes 8°4'N and 37°6'N and longitudes 68°7'E and 97°25'E. The Tropic of Cancer passes almost through the middle of the country. India is the seventh largest country in the world by area, with about 3.28 million sq km. Its central location in the Indian Ocean has helped trade and cultural links with many regions. The Standard Meridian of India is 82°30'E.

Location and size

• The mainland extends from Kashmir in the north to Kanyakumari in the south and from Arunachal Pradesh in the east to Gujarat in the west; the southernmost point of the country is Indira Point in the Nicobar Islands.
• The north–south extent is about 3,214 km and the east–west extent about 2,933 km; the land frontier is about 15,200 km and the coastline, including islands, is about 7,516 km.
• The longitudinal extent of about 30° causes a time difference of about two hours between the eastern and western ends, so the Standard Meridian of 82°30'E, passing near Mirzapur, is used for Indian Standard Time.

India and its neighbours

• India shares land borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan in the north-west, China, Nepal and Bhutan in the north, and Myanmar and Bangladesh in the east.
• Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar; the Maldives lie to the south of the Lakshadweep Islands.
• India's position at the head of the Indian Ocean, between West Asia and East Asia, gives it strategic importance for trade.

Key terms

Tropic of Cancer

the latitude 23°30'N, which passes through the middle of India

Standard Meridian

the longitude 82°30'E used for Indian Standard Time

Indira Point

the southernmost point of India, in the Nicobar Islands

Palk Strait

the narrow sea separating India from Sri Lanka

Land frontier

the length of India's land boundary with neighbouring countries

Important questions with answers

Quick revision

• Latitudes 8°4'N–37°6'N; longitudes 68°7'E–97°25'E.
• Tropic of Cancer through the middle.
• Standard Meridian 82°30'E; two-hour time difference.
• Neighbours and strategic location.

Exam tips

• Mark the extreme points, Tropic of Cancer and Standard Meridian on a map of India.
• Remember: area about 3.28 million sq km, seventh largest.

Practice MCQs

1. India lies entirely in the

   1. Southern Hemisphere
   2. Northern Hemisphere
   3. Western Hemisphere only
   4. Arctic region
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) Northern Hemisphere. Its latitudes are all north of the equator.

2. The Standard Meridian of India is

   1. 82°30'E
   2. 68°7'E
   3. 97°25'E
   4. 90°E
   Show answer

   Answer: (a) 82°30'E. It passes near Mirzapur.

3. By area, India ranks in the world

   1. seventh
   2. third
   3. first
   4. tenth
   Show answer

   Answer: (a) seventh. Its area is about 3.28 million sq km.

4. The southernmost point of India is

   1. Kanyakumari
   2. Rameswaram
   3. Indira Point
   4. Port Blair
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) Indira Point. It is in the Nicobar Islands.

5. The latitude that passes through the middle of India is the

   1. equator
   2. Arctic Circle
   3. Tropic of Capricorn
   4. Tropic of Cancer
   Show answer

   Answer: (d) Tropic of Cancer. It is 23°30'N.

6. India is separated from Sri Lanka by the

   1. Strait of Malacca
   2. Ten Degree Channel
   3. Bay of Bengal only
   4. Palk Strait
   Show answer

   Answer: (d) Palk Strait. The Gulf of Mannar also lies between them.

7. Why does India have one Standard Meridian although it spans about 30° of longitude

   1. there is no time difference
   2. it follows Greenwich only
   3. because the Sun does not move
   4. to keep one uniform time across the country
   Show answer

   Answer: (d) to keep one uniform time across the country. The east–west time difference is about two hours.

8. The time difference between Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat is about

   1. 30 minutes
   2. 1 hour
   3. 4 hours
   4. 2 hours
   Show answer

   Answer: (d) 2 hours. 30° of longitude gives 2 hours.